Sakis Rouvas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sakis Rouvas
Σάκης Ρουβάς
Rouvas in 2019
Born	Anastasios Rouvas (1972-01-05) 5 January 1972 (age 53) Corfu, Greece
Nationality	Greek
Other names	Sakis
Occupation	Singer Actor Television presenter Businessman Producer Athlete
Years active	1987–1990 (athlete) 1991–present (performer)
Works	Discography Videography Filmography Performances
Spouse(s)	Katia Zygouli ​ (m. 2017)​
Children	4
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop Pop rock R&B Dance-pop Electropop
Instruments	Vocals Guitar Piano
Labels	PolyGram Greece Minos EMI Universal Music France Panik Records
Associated acts	Corfu Band

Anastasios "Sakis" Rouvas (born on January 5, 1972) is a famous Greek singer, actor, and businessman. Many people know him simply as Sakis.

He was born in Corfu, Greece. Before becoming a musician, Sakis was a talented athlete. He won medals in national athletics teams during the 1980s. In 1991, he started his music career. He signed with PolyGram Records and released five albums. Later, he joined Minos EMI and released popular albums like Kati Apo Mena (1998) and 21os Akatallilos (2000).

His song "Shake It" for the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 became one of the best-selling CD singles in Greece. Many of his other songs and music videos have also topped the Greek music charts. Since the 2010s, Sakis has also worked in movies, television, theater, and fashion.

Sakis Rouvas has won many awards, including six Arion Music Awards and 26 MAD Video Music Awards. He has released several number-one albums and singles that have sold very well. He is known for his unique style in music, fashion, and performances, which has influenced other artists for over 30 years. In 2009, Down Town magazine called him the "Entertainer of the Decade." In 2010, Forbes magazine listed him as the third-most influential celebrity in Greece and the top singer. Many people call him the biggest brand name in Greece because almost everyone knows him.

Since 2003, Sakis has been with Katia Zygouli, a model. They got married in 2017 and have four children together. He also does a lot of charity work, using his fame to help different causes.

Early Life and Sports

Sakis Rouvas was born on January 5, 1972, in Mantouki, a part of Corfu City. He was the oldest of four sons. His father was an ambulance driver, and his mother worked at the local airport. His family was not rich, and Sakis started helping take care of his younger brothers when he was only five years old.

When he was four, he showed great athletic skills and even took ballet classes. His parents had a background in theater, and Sakis starred in his first play when he was ten. His older co-stars were very impressed with his talent. Soon after, Sakis found music, which he loved almost as much as sports. He taught himself to play the guitar, inspired by artists like Elvis Presley.

In 1984, his parents divorced. Sakis and his brother Tolis moved to their grandparents' home when their father remarried. Young Sakis worked many jobs to help his family, including working in a car repair shop, as a construction worker, and a bartender. He had some difficulty in school, especially with reading and writing. He worked during the day and went to school at night with his mother, who also wanted to finish her education.

At 15, Sakis joined the Greek national track and field team. He was good at pole-vaulting and won several national awards. He continued in athletics until he was 18, but he felt he had a future in music. He joined the Corfu Band and started performing in local clubs and hotels. At one club, he was noticed by his future manager, Ilias Psinakis. At 18, Sakis left Corfu and moved to Patras to find more opportunities.

Music Career Beginnings

After moving to Patras, Sakis kept looking for places to perform. He met Dakis, a popular Greek artist who helped him professionally. Sakis then moved to Athens and had his first big performance in 1991 at the Show Centre. His amazing stage presence caught the eye of music executives. They saw him sing Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and signed him to his first record deal with PolyGram Records.

A few months later, he performed at the Thessaloniki Song Festival. He didn't win Best Vocal Performance, but his song "Par'ta" ("Take Them") won Best Composition. The day after the festival, Sakis released his first album, Sakis Rouvas, which quickly became number one on the Greek charts. "Par'ta" became a radio hit, and other songs like "1992" and "Ego S'agapo" ("I Love You") also became very popular.

In September 1992, Sakis released his second album, Min Andistekese (Don't Resist). This album also had many hit singles and helped Sakis become one of the top artists in Greek music. In October 1993, he released his third album, Gia Sena (For You), which included the radio hit "Kane Me" ("Make Me").

New Collaborations and Success

In 1994, Sakis worked with singer-songwriter Nikos Karvelas on his fourth album, Aima, Dakrya & Idrotas (Blood, Tears & Sweat). Songs like "Ela Mou" ("Come To Me") became big radio hits. People were unsure about this new collaboration, but Karvelas said Sakis was a unique star.

In 1996, Sakis released his fifth album, Tora Arhizoun Ta Dyskola (Now the Hard Times Start), again with Nikos Karvelas. He also sang with Anna Vissi and recorded a duet for the Greek soundtrack of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, where he also voiced the character of Quasimodo.

In December 1998, Sakis released his sixth album, Kati Apo Mena (Something From Me), with his new record label. The song "Den Ehi Sidera I Kardia Sou" ("Your Heart Doesn't Have Steel Rails") was a huge hit and is still one of his most loved songs. To promote the album, he performed at a store in Athens, and thousands of fans showed up, causing a traffic jam!

In March 2000, Sakis released his seventh album, 21os Akatallilos (21+ X-Rated). This album and its first song, "Andexa" ("I Held Out"), both reached number one on the charts. The music video for "Andexa" was directed by the famous Academy Award nominee Yorgos Lanthimos. That year, Sakis also became the face of Pepsi for their Greek summer campaign, a first for a Greek entertainer.

International Exposure and Eurovision

In 2001, Sakis signed with Universal Music France. He worked with famous American songwriter Desmond Child on the song "Disco Girl". It was a big hit in Greece and won him the Pop Singer of the Year award. The song was also released in France, and Sakis performed many shows there.

His eighth album, Ola Kala, released in 2002, quickly became a gold record in Greece. In December 2003, he released his ninth album, To Hrono Stamatao (I Stop Time), which also sold very well.

Sakis Rouvas representing Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Istanbul, 2004

In March 2004, it was announced that Sakis Rouvas would represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004. His song was "Shake It". The song was originally Latin-inspired, but it was changed to mix Greek traditional bouzouki sounds with Latin ones. "Shake It" became number one on the Greek charts for many weeks. Sakis performed in the semi-final and then in the final. He had two female dancers and three backing singers. His performance was choreographed by Fokas Evangelinos. "Shake It" finished third in the final, which was a great achievement for Greece. Sakis's performance made many Greek viewers watch Eurovision, setting a record for TV ratings at the time. This was a big moment in his career, changing how people saw him and making him even more popular.

After Eurovision, Sakis performed in Istanbul with Turkish artist Sertab Erener to promote peace between the two countries. In August, he carried the Olympic torch and performed at the closing ceremony for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

In April 2005, Sakis released his tenth album, S'eho Erotefthi (I'm in Love With You), which sold incredibly well. He also won the World Music Award for Best-Selling Greek Artist of 2004. He gave a huge charity concert at the Olympic Indoor Hall for 20,000 people, which was the largest concert by a Greek artist at that time.

More Music and Hosting

In February 2006, Sakis gave a special Valentine's Day concert where he sang his popular ballads. This concert was recorded and released as Live Ballads, his first live album. It included new songs and became number one on the Greek album chart.

Sakis Rouvas speaking to ERT

In May 2006, the Eurovision Song Contest 2006 was held in Athens because Greece had won the year before. Sakis was asked to host the semi-final and final with Maria Menounos. He opened the show by singing "Love Shine a Light" and also performed "I'm in Love With You."

In December 2006, Sakis released his eleventh studio album, Iparhi Agapi Edo (There Is Love Here). Songs from this album were played often on the radio.

Acting and TV Roles

Sakis has always been interested in acting. In 2007, his first movie, Alter Ego, premiered in theaters. He played a role similar to himself in the film. He also voiced characters in Greek versions of animated movies like The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Cars.

In 2008, Sakis was announced as the host for the first season of the Greek version of The X Factor. He was a great host, and the show was very successful.

Sakis Rouvas backstage at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow, where he represented Greece

In 2009, Sakis represented Greece again in the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 with the song "This Is Our Night". He finished seventh in the final. Even though he didn't win, he received a lot of support from the public and the media.

Sakis also starred in an American movie called Duress, a psychological thriller where he played a different kind of role than what Greek audiences were used to. He also voiced Captain Charles T. Baker in the Greek version of Planet 51.

In 2013, Sakis returned to TV as a presenter for a documentary series called Iroes Anamesa Mas (Heroes Among Us), where he interviewed people who had done heroic deeds. That summer, he made his theater debut in the ancient Greek play The Bacchae, playing the main role of Dionysus. He received an award for his performance.

In 2015, Sakis starred in the film Chevalier, which was chosen as the Greek entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. He also became a coach on The Voice Greece.

Other Ventures and Helping Others

Sakis Rouvas is also a businessman. In 2009, he and Katia Zygouli became partners in a beauty company and opened a sushi restaurant. In 2010, he launched his own clothing line, the Sakis Rouvas Collection, with a Greek retailer. He also started a TV and film production company with his brother.

Since 2015, he has managed a company called Gaioanaptixi S.A., which deals with recycling organic waste. He is also a partner in a dairy products company and has a company that generates electricity from solar power.

Sakis is known as a "biggest brand name" in Greece and has worked with many big companies like Pepsi, Vodafone, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, and Adidas for their campaigns.

Philanthropy and Charity Work

Sakis Rouvas is very active in charity. In 2007, he donated money from his concerts to help people affected by wildfires in Greece. In 2009, he became a "messenger" for the ELPIDA Charity Foundation, which helps children with cancer. He has supported their campaigns and donated a large sum of money.

In 2014, Sakis became the first volunteer bone-marrow donor at the Orama Elpidas (Vision of Hope) marrow bank, encouraging others to donate as well. He also helped raise money for the foundation. In 2016, he visited the Port of Piraeus to help refugee children.

In 2017, he performed at the Thessaloniki International Fair and asked the audience to register as bone marrow donors, which led to 50,000 new volunteers. He also supported events for children with special needs.

Sakis has been an "Ambassador of Rewarding Recycling" and has supported efforts to renovate children's hospitals. He has participated in tree-planting campaigns in areas affected by wildfires. He also helps with environmental awareness and supports social welfare programs. In 2023, he held a charity concert in Cyprus to help children with disabilities.

His Music Style

Influences and Musicianship

Elvis Presley in 1957

Michael Jackson in 1984

Sakis Rouvas's biggest musical hero is Elvis Presley. He also loves bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, and Queen. He feels that Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of the best songs ever written. People have noticed similarities between Sakis and Elvis, especially in their performance styles. Sakis has said that Elvis impressed him with "the way that he sang, that he danced, that he felt what he interpreted." He has also been influenced by Greek artists like Giannis Parios and Nana Mouskouri, who was his mentor.

Sakis speaks Greek, English, and French fluently. He has recorded songs in all three languages and even sang in Turkish and Russian. He can play the guitar, bass, piano, cello, and some percussion. He often plays his electric guitar during concerts and an acoustic guitar for unplugged shows.

Sakis sees himself as a pop-rock artist. He has been praised for sticking to pop music, even though traditional Greek music is very popular. He believes there should be many different types of music.

Vocal Style

Sakis Rouvas didn't have vocal lessons when he was young; he learned by listening. His voice has improved a lot over the years. Some people used to say his voice was average, and that his popularity came from his looks. However, as his career grew, his technical skills and emotional expression became more recognized.

Sakis Rouvas performing at STARZ

Sakis has a tenor vocal range, meaning he can sing high notes. He can sing very powerfully and also softly. He took voice lessons in the US to improve his rock and blues techniques. His album Kati Apo Mena was a big step in his vocal development, showing more depth in his singing. He won awards for Best Male Vocal Performance multiple times. Critics have noted that his voice is easily recognizable and well-suited for power ballads, which are a signature part of his style.

Reviewers often praise Sakis's live performances, especially his ability to sing difficult songs, hold long notes, and dance at the same time. He is known for never using playback (pre-recorded vocals) during his shows, which is common for other artists. Sakis takes care of his voice by eating healthy and not smoking.

Acting and Television

Sakis has starred in several music videos that look like mini-movies. After moving to Los Angeles in 2005, he studied acting. His first movie, Alter Ego, was a big production in Greece. He also voiced characters in Greek versions of animated films.

In his second film, Duress, Sakis played a serial killer, which was a very different role for him. Critics were surprised and impressed by his performance, saying he was convincing in the role.

Sakis has also been a successful TV host. His role as host of The X Factor was very popular, and he was praised for bringing excitement to the show. He was also a coach on The Voice of Greece for many years.

Discography

Filmography

Films
Year	Title	Role	Notes and Awards
1996	The Hunchback of Notre Dame	Quasimodo	Main character, Greek voice-dub
2006	Cars	Lightning McQueen
2007	Alter Ego	Stefanos	Main character Also associate producer
	Like Stars on Earth	Ram Shankar Nikumbh	Greek Voice-Dub and Singer
2009	Duress	Abner Solvie	Villain
	Planet 51	Captain Charles "Chuck" T. Baker	Main character, Greek voice-dub
2011	Cars 2	Lightning McQueen
2015	Chevalier	Christos	Main character
2017	Cars 3	Lightning McQueen	Main character, Greek voice-dub
TBA	Icarus	Alex	Post-production, Short film
Television
Year	Title	Role	Notes and Awards
1996	Kalinyhta Mama (Goodnight Mommy)	Himself	1 episode
2004	Summer Olympics		Performance in the closing ceremony
2006	Eurovision Song Contest 2006	Host
2008-2011, 2016-2017	The X Factor Greece		* Johnnie Walker Man of the Year Award for Presenter of the Year (2011)
2013	Iroes anamesa mas (Heroes Among Us)		Docuseries
2016	Olympic Flame Handover Ceremony	Himself	Performance
2021-2022	Idols	Host	Docuseries
2022	The Masked Singer
2016–2023	The Voice of Greece	Coach
2025	Ethnikós Telikós 2025	Host
Theater
Year	Title	Role	Notes and Awards
2013	The Bacchae	Dionysus	Theatrical debut
2015	Hercules- 12 labours	Hercules

Key

Denotes films that have not yet been released

Tours and Residencies

Concert tours

• Tora Arhizoun Ta Dyskola Summer Tour (1997)
• Pepsi Tour (2001)
• Ola Kala World Tour (2002)
• Sakis Live in Town Tour (2003)
• Sakis on Stage Tour (2005)
• Fire Victims Tour (2007)
• Antonis Remos – Sakis Rouvas World Tour (2008)
• Kalokairino Randevou me ton Saki Tour (2008)
• Sakis Live Tour (2009)
• Sakis Summer Tour (2010)
• Ace of Hearts Tour (2014)
• Eleftheros Tour (Guest act) (2022)
• Moments (2024)

Concert residencies

Awards

Images for kids

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  Sakis Rouvas at his record-breaking Panathenaiko Stadium concert, 2009

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  Sakis Rouvas at Club STARZ in Athens, 2008

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  Sakis Rouvas in 2009, when he launched several businesses

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  Sakis Rouvas inaugurating the Sakis Rouvas Collection in Limassol, Cyprus, 2010

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  Sakis Rouvas concert at Panathenaiko Stadium